A mystery pre-war 30-06 JP Sauer came home today

I didn't know a lot about this one other than I like the way it looked.

I though it had a miss-matched Bolt, but found that number on the Action also.

I assume this is between the Wars, but not sure of year of mfg.

Here are the specs..

21" Octagon to Round Barrel, Full Matt Rib to Ramp Front Site w/ Silver Bead
Lyman 35 Rear Site - (orig rear site on rib is milled down)
7 lb 6 oz
14" LOP
Type B Floor Plate Lever
Double-Set Triggers
Barrel Rib marked "Mod Mauser: J.P. Sauer & Son"
Barrel side marked "30 U.S.G.1906"
Barrel shank marked "Fluid Steel Krupp Essen"
Barrel marked "Crown N STMG / 10G"
Action and Barrel marked "182644"
Action marked "44580"
All Bolt parts marked "80"
blank brass escutcheon on bottom of stock
Braided Sling


as always comments and opinions are welcome ....

UPDATE ... I FOUND AN IDENTICAL RIFLE HERE - SAME FRONT SITE AND LYMAN 35 SITE - https://www.gunsinternational....urce=lc&lctid=509172

Photos

Its no mystery, they are absolutely one of the finest rifles ever made, rare in that they actually made the Mauser actions themselves with the permission of Mauser. They sell for $4000 to $6500, I keep score on their price as I have one in 30-06 and another in 8x57 both as new and all original. Only a precious few are original as they are drilled and tapped or triggers replaced, The Lyman 35 you have is original on them btw and the sight alone is worth a pretty penny at $350 to a much as $700 in one add. Ive seen them sell for as low as $3500 but in terrible condition or the seller was not aware of what he had in a couple of cases. All parts are serial numbered/,

Hello Ray,

thanks for the reply ..

I got this info from a pre-war Mauser expert on a German forum.

"...The barrel was proofed for the 10 gramm = 150 gr .30-06 load.
44580 is the Mauser, Oberndorf commercial serial number.
The position under the receiver shows the action only was intended for sale to another gunmaker, Sauer & Sohn here.
It dates the action to 1911.
The Sauer & Sohn serial number 182644 shows the rifle was completed, barreled and stocked in 1912.
The sling is a recent, post-WW2 addition...."

Congratulations, very cool rifle

Hello All,
Well, I got another JP Sauer today. This one is 8x57 caliber. I think it might be very, very, early. Its cock on close and there is a little finger that helps hold the bolt handle down. (see third picture from the end) This one has stamps and numbers all over the place - I have shown all that I found. I will be happy to hear from someone that knows what they all mean. The stock looks as old as the rifle but its not like the one on the 30-06. I have slugged the bore and its .318 dia. Here are all the photos of the rifle and the markings. Do you think I could find a scope with the required mounting for this rifle?

[image]http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/SAUER8X57-000.jpg[/image]

[image]http://www.buckstix.com/buckpics/8x57sauer-000.jpg[/image]

Hello All,

Well, I got another JP Sauer today. This one is 8x57 caliber. I think this one might be an early one. It is cock on close and there is a little finger that helps hold the bolt handle down. (see third picture from the end) This one has stamps and numbers all over the place - I have shown all that I found. I will be happy to hear from someone that knows what they all mean. The stock looks as old as the rifle but its not like the one on the 30-06. I have slugged the bore and its .318 dia. Here are all the photos of the rifle and the markings. Do you think I could find a scope with the required mounting for this rifle?

Ive never seen one that was D&T from the factory and it devalues the gun for collector purposes, neither of mine are D&T, The 30-06 has a M-35 Lyman receiver sight, The 8x57 has one standing on the barrel and is a 323 bore..so later model than yours. Yours is a rare find I believe...

Hello all,

Turns out this second JP Sauer in 8x57 cal. is built on a rare "transitional" Mauser 98 action, and this rifle was used as a WWI sniper rifle, albeit missing the scope. I was told that finding a scope with early JP Sauer rings would be like "cracking the lottery jackpot".

Well, I didn't crack the lottery jackpot, but I did find a fellow in Texas that sold me his scope. He bought it years ago because he recognized the rings as rare early JP Sauer type. Unfortunately the scope has been abused with a cracked lens, and crooked cross-hairs, and it is so cloudy that you can't see through it. I am not sure it can be repaired, so I might just look for a different scope to put into the rings.

Perhaps someone can tell me something about the scope.

http://www.buckstix.com/buckpi...7sauer-scope-000.jpg

That scope certainly is a rare bird but having a cracked lens and wonky reticle wrecks its collector value. It may be possible to fix at the cost of several hundred dollars - but only to use, unless the repairs are undetectable.

Well, I installed an Ajack 2.5x52, Berlin so.33 WWI Sniper scope. Although very old, this has optics that are clear enough for shooting.

Next stop will be the range to test it out.

It looks like I found a good replacement scope for this rifle. According to a renown expert on the German Gun Collectors Association Forum ...

"Ajack is an acronym for Adolph Jackenkroll Optische Anstalt, Taborstr., Berlin, founded 1894. Existed until the end of WW2. They started making rifle scopes during WW1...."


Its nice to have resurrected an example of a WWI Sniper Rifle.

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